I get it. I’ve heard the jokes. My name sounds like some medieval character who was a hero. Hell, my best friend’s named Arturo King. Ring any medieval bells? But this is my story and I’m no hero. I also get the jokes. Lancelot is a play on the words lance and lot, and a lance refers to a sword, which is a euphemism for dick. What does a man do with his dick? He fucks. A lot. So if my name is Lansing Lotte, I must be “fucking lot.” Get it? Fucking a lot? Which I’m not saying I don’t, that’s not the point. Another reference to something sexual. Get my point? Huh, I made a punny. But again this is my story, and I haven’t done anything funny. In fact, I’ve killed three women, and only one of them I loved. Yeah, that’s right? Not laughing now. It’s not funny. And I’m definitely no fucking hero.

Paisley Belle reporting for Guitar Central. Today’s interview is with Lansing Lotte, guitar
hero for the award winning rock band, The Nights. Despite the recent tragedy
for The Nights, I was able to sit down with Mr. Lotte in a small coffee shop
down the street from his historical home in New York City. Perkins Vale,
drummer, and Tristan Lyons, bass guitarist, will be joining us soon, but with
the few private minutes alone, I begin my inquiry.

Let’s start with how
you got into music?

L: My mother was the most instrumental in my introduction to
the guitar. Pardon the pun. She was what you’d call laid back, a naturalist,
almost hippy-like. Music surrounded us and she eventually taught me to play on
a 1931 Gibson L-I Flattop. I still have that guitar all these years later.

Speaking of family,
we understand you’ve had a rather unusual upbringing.

Lansing remains silent
for a moment, reflective, and I decide to move on.

Tell me about your nickname:
The Lady Killer.

L: (flinches at first, but then relaxes, pushing his longer
bangs off his forehead) Yeah, well, I’m okay with the ladies (a sly crooked
smile begins and those blue eyes sparkle), but I’ve been known to make a few
mistakes, break a few hearts. Maybe one too many. (sighs).

Broken hearts, what
about being a hero?

L: (sitting up straighter and continuing to fidget with the
coffee cup in front of him) I wouldn’t say I’m a hero. I did what anyone would
do. I have…a connection…to the little girl. I needed to get to her.

(Raising my eyebrow) A connection, how?

L: (smiling deeper) It’s a long story (laughs).

Well, tell me the
story of the band. How did you all come together?

L: I met Arturo when we were teenagers; he’s two years older
than me. It was a fight over a girl (he looks away for a moment). Anyway, met Perkins in the woods one summer.
We just sort of clicked. He’s a natural on the drums. Met Tristan after Arturo
went to college. We just gel, a band of brothers.

(I soften my tone) And
speaking of brothers, how are you all holding up with the news of Arturo?

L: What news?

Well, the recent
events surrounding Arturo and his…

L: There is no news. All we know is Arturo was in an
accident. I’m sure you’ve seen the images. Graphic. Disturbing. But we are
still hoping for the best. He’s been spotted sporadically, but we don’t have
any definite leads. What we do know, is if Arturo King were dead, we would all
feel it. Our connection is that
strong. If one goes, we would know it.

In an attempt to
change directions, I ask: How is
Guinevere DeGrance?

L: Why?

I’m taken aback for a
moment and then he continues.

L: I apologize. Guinevere is holding up the best she can.
Obviously this has all been quite a blow to her. She’s been through a lot, but
she’s a strong woman. She’ll make it through this. She has me. She has the
band. We are all there for one another.

There for each other,
but who is there for you, specifically? (winking)

L: (seeming to relax). Someone amazing is there for me. I didn’t see her coming, but she means
everything to me. She’s changed my life, literally. It’s a new chapter for me,
and I’m looking forward to where this will lead (smiles deeply).

I can feel the
exciting energy for his unspoken new love interest, but I decide not to pry
further.

Okay, can you comment
on your world tour being cancelled?

L: We had to cancel. We won’t continue without Arturo, so we
decided to wait. The fans have been understanding. We are still working on
finishing the album, and looking forward to a release tentatively in August. We
appreciate everyone’s support for Arturo and we are certain he feels the love
they keep sending out to him.

At that point, a beautiful blonde woman and a little girl
dressed in a ladybug costume enter the coffee shop. Lansing’s attention shifts
immediately and the little girl waves to him. He winks at her and she giggles
in response. I don’t miss that his eyes wander up to the woman who waits
patiently in line for coffee, not acknowledging him. The weight of the Lady
Killer’s attention must be too much, because she turns toward us, and slowly
smiles at Mr. Lotte. I’ve seen that look before on a few ladies of society.
This one definitely has more-than-a-crush on the rock star sitting before me,
but I can tell by the look on his face, he feels the same way about her.

There’s no sign of Perkins Vale or Tristan Lyons, but I
can’t wait to get the nitty-gritty on the quiet member of the band, Perkins.
That giant drummer has some secrets, and I can’t wait to learn them next.

Paisley Bell, Guitar Central. 2015

L.B. Dunbar loves to read to the point it might be classified as an addiction. The past few years especially she has relished the many fabulous YA authors, the new genre of New Adult, traditional romances, and historical romances. A romantic at heart, she’s been accused of having an overactive imagination, as if that was a bad thing. Author of the Sensations Collection, Sound Advice, Taste Test, Fragrance Free, Touch Screen, and the upcoming Sight Words, she is also author of the Legendary Rock Star series, beginning with The Legend of Arturo King. She grew up in Michigan, but has lived in Chicago for longer, calling it home with her husband and four children.